Lozenge

That's a fun word to say, isn't it? 

Lozenge. 

Try it.

Lozenge.

I have been in need of lozenges with this cough.  My lozenge of choice has been Ricola (sugar free).  I have the lemon flavor, but, prefer the green tea.  I have been unable to find the green tea flavor for awhile. 

I don't think they call them lozenges anymore.  When I was younger they were called cough drops.  Today I see they are throat drops or cough suppressants.

I still like the word lozenge.

Lozenge.

Cough, Cough...

I'm still trying to shake the cough.   It would probably help if I rested and took care of myself.   Maybe I just want to see how long I can drag the cold out?  See how many people I can annoy with my cough?  See how fast I can clear out a room by having a coughing fit?

Newton and I have been taking long walks after dinner.  I might be making him walk too fast (he will be 10 next month).   I have my coughing fits on the path, too, incase you're wondering.  That just means I get the whole path to myself.  I haven't had anyone ask if I need help or a drink of water.  I think I may need some more practice.  It's an art.

On our walk last night, there was a trail of gummy bears on the path.  (where I live they call them "trails" or "paths"  we don't have sidewalks)  It makes you wonder who would just drop their gummy bears on the path?  Was it on purpose?  An accident?

So, I envisioned a small child, thrown into the back of a wagon and given gummy bears to keep him/her quiet.  "Here, eat these."  And the parent started pulling the wagon along the path.  The child starts thinking, hey, maybe if I drop some gummy bears on the path we will be able to find our way back home. 

I went for a walk tonight and brought the camera (because, the time I want to take a picture, of gummy bears on the path, a very exciting picture,  and, I don't have my camera) and the gummy bears are gone!  I hope they found their way back home.  Maybe the big bad wolf found them?  

Maybe someone had a coughing fit on the path and needed a lozenge and saw the bears?

Wish List

I took Bella to Target the other day.  It was a quick trip for a birthday gift.  I explained all of this before we got into the store.  That there would be no extra purchases for her and that we didn't have time to shop and look at everything.  (I mean, how can you go into a store and not look at everything, mom?  What's wrong with you?)  She understood the ground rules and we headed into the store.

Like I said, this was a quick trip.  I found something right away (that usually NEVER happens) and we started to head out.  I did stop by the paint aisle and picked up some watercolors for her (she loves to paint and is out of paint).  It was also less than a dollar. 

We get to the register and Bella tells me that she has to get something.  I remind her that we are there for the birthday gift and that she is getting some paint and we have to leave to pick up her brother.  Bella then goes into this long commentary about how I (yes, me, the mom) ALWAYS gets stuff and that she never gets anything.  I then show Bella the things we are buying.  The gift for a friend and paints for her.  That's it.  Nothing else.  We don't always buy things for ourselves.  (And by that I mean the fun stuff, like toys)

Bella was about to start complaining, or crabbing and I said, your going to have to talk to Dad about all of this, we have to get going. 

I didn't think she would remember this conversation.  Yesterday, Bella wasn't feeling well.  After the Doctor's appointment, and after she took her medicine she asked RT to take her to Target.  He told her that she's sick.  Bella insisted she felt better.  RT said to me, she's sick and she still feels like shopping!  (that's girls for you)

Today Bella made a painting for RT.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought I would share it with you.  I will translate for you:

I love you Daddy.  I wish I could go to Target.  Love, Bella

All I can say is, She's trying!  She's going to try her best to work him over and get what she wants.  I think she even has a list of things that she wants to buy.  I didn't coach her on any of this, by the way.  I do make lists for things I need to get at the store.  I don't have any toys on my lists, tho.  I think Bella is trying to see if she can wrap RT around her little finger.  I don't think it's going to work, but, hey, she's trying! 

Tasso's for lunch

Yes, more Greek food! 

Of course, I wasn't feeling good and wasn't that hungry.  Apparently I now have "the cold."  The one that Bella did not get (she just got the ear infection).  She woke up all bright eyed and bushy tailed.  Dancing around, smiling.  I was all groggy because I couldn't sleep and felt sick all night.  Don't worry, I've loaded up on vitamin's and hope to be much better tomorrow.

Being sick and all and no appetite, I ordered soup.  Avgolemeno soup to be exact.  (translation:  Egg lemon soup)  Good.  Not as good as my mom has made and not as good as Greek Islands (restaurant). 

Bella and I brought Nona in to see Kayla (my niece) who is going to North Central College.  We went to eat and then walked on back to see Kayla's apartment.   My brother decided to tag along (probably for the free lunch and to terrorize his niece). 

outside Kayla's apartment

Do you think the guy could get a little further away and take the picture?  I can't see the entire wall and ceiling.  I would also like to see a little more table, too. 

My brother terrorizing his niece. 

Look how normal Bella looks in the picture.  I think she tries to ignore him.

hanging on Kayla's couch.  Soon to be Nick's couch if he keeps missing that bus!

Too bad, Kayla is graduating this year

We chilled at the apartment for awhile.  It was good for them to hang with their grandmother (and deal with me, the sick one)  I don't think Bella wanted to leave.   She likes hanging with her cousins.  I think we will have to go to Sugar Monkey Cupcake one more time with Kayla before she graduates.

Went out for Sushi Lunch yesterday.  Yum!  RT and I had a little lunch date.  It's nice using school as the babysitter. 

 I love how they make your meal look so appetizing! 

  Yes, I had to take a picture

That was the nice part of the day. 

I got a call from school that Bella had a low grade fever and was complaining that her ear hurt .  Oh, joy.  Off I went to school to get her.  I brought her home and she was just miserable.  So, off to the doctor we went to find out she has an ear infection (her first).  Not full blown, just beginning.    When Bella is sick and miserable, she lets everyone know about how she feels.  

Here's to hoping that rest will make her (and myself) feel better today.

Mindless Ramblings

I cut a few lilacs for the house.  They smell so good!  I wish you could scratch and sniff the picture.  I put them in the kitchen and the entire house smells like lilacs!

It's probably a lot better smell than what the dog has been producing today.  Even Bella noticed and quickly put him outside.  She does have a way of letting everyone around know what happened.  I'm sure the neighbors heard about Newton and his....problems.  She definitely isn't a quiet child. 

I think I need a new pair of socks, what do you think?

I wonder how many times you have to say something in order to get your child to understand that you have answered his question with the same answer, over and over again.  This goes along with how many times do you have to ask your child to do something to get them to do it?   I'm thinking this is a little of that pre-teen stuff.  Although, I do not remember Nick doing this routine.  Maybe my memory fails me or maybe I'm just blocking this out on purpose.  I found a cartoon that sums up the whole situation.

Nick came through and did the chore that was asked to be done.  Of course it came with a price.  Lunch money for tomorrow.  (hey, it was worth it)

The Ultimate Thank You

I talked about the importance of writing thank you notes back in December.  I also talked about being thankful for things that you have back in January.  Today I want to talk about receiving the ultimate Thank You note.
In my line of work (job title: Mom) I don't get very many thank you notes for the job I am doing, the things I do or say, my help, my laundry expertise, my cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring.  I don't get a raise or a "job well done" from the boss.  But, today was different.

Today I received 2 pieces of paper.  They are just white,  8 1/2" x 11" pieces of paper that have some writing on them.  The writing is in red marker.  Nothing exciting.  No drawings or stickers or artwork.  Just words.   They don't hold any monetary value (to an outsider).   To me, they are now my most prized possession.

I thought I would share them with you.  I'll translate for you:

I love doing crafts with you.  I love coloring with you.  I love playing Barbies with you.

I love your voice better than Dad's. (sorry Dad)  I love Scrapbooking with you.

I don't know what else to say.

This makes it all worth it.  :)